Adapter apparatus for automatic aerosol dispenser



g- 27, 1968 w. F. KOLODZIEJ 3,398,864

ADAPTER APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER Filed June 24, 1966\IVEN'TOR WALTER Hxowoz/sa BY 1 4 & L ATTORNEY United States Patent3,398,864 ADAPTER APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC AEROSOL DISPENSER Walter F.Kolodziej, La Salle, Ill., assignor to General Time Corporation,Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 24, 1966, Ser. No.561,642 8 Claims. (Cl. 222-180) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adapterfor an automatic aerosol dispenser integrally formed of plastic materialand having a slotted, outwardly extending annular shoulder forresiliently fitting into the cap recess of an aerosol can. The adapteris urged resiliently downwardly until an annular shoulder engages thetop of the aerosol can valve housing; thus precisely aligning theadapter therewith. The adapter further comprises a pair of upstandingshoulders having opposed parallel side walls for guiding a nozzle havingconforming, closely adjacent side walls. A pair of coplanar slots in theupstanding shoulders are oriented with their sidewalls parallel to thetop of the valve housing and their inner walls parallel to theupstanding opposed parallel walls of the shoulders. Thus, the adaptermay be engaged by a U-shaped channel member of an automatic aerosoldispenser to establish a controlled dimension between the top of thevalve housing and the actuator member thereof and to orient the nozzle.Additionally, the upstanding shoulders are provided with L-shapedrecesses conforming to the opposed parallel vertical walls and the slotsto facilitate low tolerance manufacture of the adapter.

This invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus and moreparticularly to adapter means for mounting containers that periodicallyand automatically dispense pressurized fluid by actuating a valve undercontrol of motor driven devices.

The pressurized liquid container, commonly known as an aerosol can, thatis used with the apparatus of this invention is provided with aspring-urged valve stem which projects upwardly from the container capand when the valve is depressed releases a spray of atomized fiuid fromthe container. The valve may be of the type which discharges a measuredquantity of spray from a reservoir chamber that forms part of the valveupon each full depression of the valve stem and allows the valve torefill when the valve stem is permitted to elevate or close under theurge of the valve spring. Such type of valve is very well known to thoseskilled in the art of aerosol dispensing.

This invention is primarily concerned with an improved mounting for thecontainer whereby orientation of the actuator for the valve actuatingmechanism and the valve head or nozzle is held substantially constant.Heretofore, in the art of automatic aerosol dispensing, difficulty hasbeen experienced in expediently' positioning the nozzle relative to thevalve actuator due to the wide differences in the overall lengths of theaerosol cans. That is, experience has taught that the dimension from thebase of the container to thetop of the nozzle may vary appreciably fromone container to another.

In known types of automatic dispensers the container is placed on aplatform beneath the valve actuator. In this type the overalllongitudinal dimension of the container, valve stem and nozzle must beclosely considered when fixing the distance between the mountingplatform and the valve operating member of the actuating mechanism. Morespecifically, the distance must be such that 3,398,864 Patented Aug. 27,1968 "ice the top of the nozzle should be a fixed safety distance awayfrom the operating member to insure facile assembly and operability ofthe dispenser. It has been found, for example, that the tolerancebuild-up or run-out from one aerosol container to another may be as muchas .090 inch. Thus, if the automatic dispenser is to be assembled withfacility, the distance between the container-mounting platform and valveactuating member must be excess of .090 inch in order to accommodatecontainer assemblies having the greatest run-out. Moreover, thisconsideration is doubly important as such an automatic dispenser must becapable of easily accommodating replacement containers that aresubsequently installed by the purchaser or user after the fluid in thefactory-assembled container is spent. The replacement containerassembly, however, may have a much shorter longitudinal dimension thanthe original and, as is well known in the automatic aerosol dispensingart, the farther that the nozzle is separated from the actuator the morepronounced is the hammer blow dealt to the nozzle during valveoperation. Such condition is not only highly objectionable (particularlyin a sick room) but results in eventual damage to the valve mechanismand, therefore, malfunction of the dispenser.

One prior art attempt to overcome the above difliculties features agenerally cup-shaped adapter of resilient plastic material having aflat, circular bottom wall with a central opening therein and asurrounding side wall projecting upwardly from the bottom wall. At thejuncture of the bottom and side walls an outwardly projecting rib isprovided for fastly engaging an annular recess in the rimmed cap portionof the container. The bottom Wall has slits that radiate outwardly fromthe central opening therein and allow the peripheral portion thereof todeform upwardly when the adapter is inserted so as to fric tionally gripa lower region of the valve housing. This, together with the outwardlyprojecting rib, fasten the adapter to the container. The side wall ofthe adapter is vertically slotted to form four resilient tabs havingprotrusions that are snap-fitted through an annular opening in themounting bracket. The protrusions frictionally grip the mounting bracketand suspend the container therefrom. Concurrent with the above mounting,the valve stem and operating member therefor are joined in telescopicfashion and this together with a cushioning arrangement are effective tominimize the hammer blow during operation of the valve. Such type ofsuspension mounting is fully disclosed in Patent No. 3,150,800, issuedto R. L. Webber, Sept. 29, 1964.

While the suspension mounting disclosed in the above patent is animprovement over the platform mounting approach, as it alleviates theabove-mentioned run-out condition, the method of anchoring the tabstothe mounting bracket proved cumbersome and the tabs also proved to beof insufficient rigidity to withstand repeated, uncushioned valveoperations performed by the relatively inexpensive mechanism such as thetype disclosed herein. The tabs, therefore, were susceptible to skewingor dislodgement and either condition would of course render thedispenser inoperable. Moreover, due to the many dimensional variablesinherent in the prior art adapter assembly, mounting of the container sothat a constant relationship existed between the valve nozzle and valveoperator could not be definitely established from one container assemblyto another and, as made evident above, such relationship is vital whereautomatic aerosol dispensers that require periodic containerreplacements are concerned.

With the apparatus of the present invention, a rugged adapter memberhaving parallel slotted, twin shoulders is permanently fixed to the capof an ordinary aerosol container. A flat portion of a central wall ofthe adapter riiember'seats on the upper, 'fiat'surfac'e of the valvehousing. A valve nozzle is particularly seated on the discharge end ofthe valve stem. As will be brought out more in detail hereinafter, sucharrangement definitely fixes the dimension from the central wall of theadapter member and the top of the valve nozzle. In mounting thecontainer to the automatic dispenser, the slotted shoulders of theadapter member are slidingly entered on a pair of shelves that form partof a U-shaped bracket that is made fast with and suspends from a lowermounting plate for the automatic dispenser. As the container is beingmounted, a hinged actuator of the automatic dispenser mechanism isengaged by a sloping face of the valve nozzle and thereby is graduallyelevated. When the actuator is moved to its upward limit, established bythe track of an actuating cam, the valve nozzle is slightly depressed tocondition the valve as the adapter member engages a homing stop on theU-shaped bracket.

The above mounting is simple, rigid and foolproof. Conditioning of thevalve nozzle by the actuator results in quiet operation of the valveduring a spray operation.

Accordingly it is an overall object of this invention to provide anaerosol container orienting apparatus of the general nature stated whichis overall superior to known prior devices that are associated withautomatic dispensers.

A more specific object is to provide a suspended aerosol container thatis rigidly adapted and accurately oriented with respect to an automaticdispenser.

In keeping with the above object it is a further object to provide animproved adapter member.

A further object is to provide an aerosol container adapter assemblythat contributes to quiet and reliable operation of the automaticdispenser mechanism, is easily asembled and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide means to condition an aerosol containervalve and thereby effect a pressured actuation thereof during a periodicspray cycle.

Finally, it is an important object to provide an adapter assembly for anautomatic dispenser that insures accurate mounting of nonuniformcontainers.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating theadapter assembly of the invention associated with an automatic valveactuating mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the adapter assemblyof FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the adapter member.

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings it will be helpful to set outby briefly explaining the particulars of the automatic valve actuatingmechanism with which the adapter assembly of the invention isassociated. The complete valve actuating mechanism is disclosed in mycopending application: Actuating Device for Aerosol Dispenser HavingTiming Control, Ser. No. 517,022, filed Dec. 28, 1965, and assigned tothe same assignee as is the present invention.

As fully set out in the above application, to effect a periodic valveactuation a motor (not shown herein) rotates a pinion which in turndrives a movement comprising a first reduction gear 12, a pinion 14, asecond reduction gear 16, an elongated gear 18 and a last or cam gear20. More specifically, gear 12 and pinion 14 are made fast with a firstshaft 22 which make up a first gear reduction assembly 24. The ends ofshaft 22 are journaled in a pair of mounting plates 25 and 26. Gears 16and 18 are made fast with a bushing 27 and comprise a second gearreduction assembly 23. As pinion 10 is rotated clockwise the first gearassembly 24 is rotated counterclockwise while the second gear assembly28 is rotated clockwise. Elongate gear 18, enmeshed with cam gear 20,rotates the latter counterclockwise.

An actuating assembly comprising a compression spring 30, last gear 20,a cam 31 and a cam bushing 32 is mounted on a third shaft 33. Gear 20and cam 31 are staked to the lower portion of cam bushing 32 and form asubassembly. Cam 31 is generally cup-shaped and has a track 35 of agenerally helix configuration to provide a low level 35 and a high point35 A collet 37 is fixed to the upper portion of shaft 33. Upon assembly,the compression spring 30 is fitted over bushing 32. Gear 20, cam 31 andcam bushing 32 are then mounted on shaft 33. The upper coil of spring 30nestles about and is contained by collet 37 while the lower coil pressesdownwardly on gear 20. A jig may be provided to fit over the top side ofcollet 37 and the underside of cam 31 to effect slight compression ofspring 30. Shaft 33 is then mounted between mounting plates 25 and 26and the upper and lower ends of shaft 33 are fixed to the plates as byswaging or the like, and the jig is thereafter removed. Shaft 33establishes a fixed axis for the subassembly of last gear 20, cam 31 andbushing 32; such subassembly is adapted to be rotated counterclockwiseby elongate gear 18.

A cam stud 42 is fixed in lower plate 26 and serves to gradually elevatethe subassembly in a linear direction when pinion 18 rotates last gear20 at the start of a spray cycle. That is, when the cam track 35 isrotated on cam stud 42 from the low level 35 to the high point 35', thesubassembly is driven upwardly along the axis of shaft 33 to conditionthe actuating mechanism.

An actuating lever 44 is hingedly mounted at one end thereof as by astud 46 which is fixed to the plate 26. The opposite or free end oflever 44 is provided with an operating end which includes an angularextension 48 that reaches into and through an aperture 50 provided atthe central portion of plate 26. An upper, rounded portion 51 of theoperating end of lever 44 projects a short distance beyond stud 42 toprovide an engaging surface for track 35 of cam 31. The rounded portion51 is so formed as to establish a short dwell for cam track high point35 when it is rotated beyond cam stud 42 during a cyclic excursion ofcam 31 and to facilitate rapid recovery for the actuating lever 44together with the valve mechanism at the end of a spray cycle. It shouldbe noted that in FIG. '1 the high point 35 is about to be rotated beyondstud 42 and that spring 30 has been compressed; cam track 35 slightlypivots lever 44 so that extension 48 thereof slightly depresses orconditions the valve mechanism preparatory to spray operation.

Thus it can now be appreciated that when the high point 35* is rotatedbeyond the cam stud 42, spring 30 suddenly snaps the subassemblydownwardly whereupon high point 35 pivots actuating lever 44 about stud46 and extension 48 fully depresses the valve mechanism to effect anaerosol spray.

Turning now to the novel container adapter means, an adapter member 55is secured to the usual cup-shaped container cap 57 by force-fitting alower, circular rib 59 of member 55 into the circular recess 60 of thecap. Member 55 is preferably injection molded of a comparatively rigidbut resilient material such as polypropylene and the continuity of rib59 is relieved at portions 62 to facilitate entry thereof into the caprecess 60. Rib 59 is flared outwardly from an annular peripheral wall 63that extends downwardly toward recess 60. A pair of upstanding shoulders64 are formed on member 55 and the lower, outer portions of theshoulders are slotted, as indicated at 67, in order to grippingly engagea pair of adapted receiving shelves 68 of the mounting bracket 70. Asbest seen in FIG. 2, bracket 70 is of generally U-shape configurationhaving a pair of upstanding side walls 71 which reach upwardly to themounting plate 26 (FIG. 1) and are rigidly fixed thereto as by swagingor the like.

Returning now to the adapter member '55, a pair of generallyperpendicular inboard portions 72 of shoulders 64 act as guides for avalve nozzle 73 during reciprocation thereof. Recesses indicated at 74are provided to hold the linear uniformity of the inboard portions 72during the cooling period of member 55 subsequent to the moldingoperation. As is clearly evident in the drawings, a circular opening 75is provided in a central wall 76 of member 55 to allow free passage ofthe container valve stem 77 and a circular, downwardly extending wall 79engagingly surrounds the usual housing 80 for the valve mechanism whenadapter 55 is secured to the container cap. A circular embossment 82located intermediate rib 59 and wall 79 gives added strength to member55. A pair of twin, ramp-type notches 84, one of which is visible inFIG. 2, are formed in the outer periphery of central wall 76 and serveto facilitate entry of the mounting bracket shelves 68 within slottedareas 67 of member 55.

Nozzle 73 has a rear portion of generally square formation and faces 85that taper forwardly to terminate in a reduced, square nose 86. As shownin FIG. 2, a bore 87 extends rearwardly from nose 86 and blends with anenlarged vertical bore 88, the latter of which is dimensioned to snuglyfit and accurately seat on the valve stem 77. A fine-spray effectinginsert 89 is force-fitted into the outlet end of bore 87. Nozzle 73 isthen entered on the valve stem 77 and moved a prescribed distancedownwardly as established by the upper limit 90 of bore 88.

It is important to note that by virtue of the above adaptationarrangement the mounting portions 67 of member 55 and the top 91 ofnozzle 73 are definitely fixed with respect to the top of valve housing80. That is, the distance indicated at A in FIG. 1 will be constant fromthe top of the valve housing 80 to the upper limits of notches 67 andthe flat top 91 of nozzle 73 will also be fixed a constant distance fromthe top of valve housing 80, as indicated at B. Plate 26 serves as acommon mounting means for the automatic dispensing mechanism and bracket70. The upper portions of shelves 68 are fixed a prescribed verticaldistance from the base of mounting plate 26 to orient the automaticmechanism with respect to the adapter. This distance, as indicated at C,is determined by steps 71 (FIG. 2) in bracket side walls 71.

In adapting the container assembly the slotted portions indicated at 67are aligned with the mounting bracket shelves 68, which in addition tobeing located a prescribed distance below mounting plate 26, define theopen-end portion of bracket 70. Then the container is manually drawnonto bracket 70 so that shelves 68 receive shoulders 64. Upon suchentry, the upper, inclined surface 85 of the valve nozzle graduallypivots the actuating lever 44 to its upper limit which is established bythe track of cam 31, whereupon the valve nozzle is slightly depressed.This occurs about the time when the flat top 91 of nozzle 73 reaches theoperating portion of lever 44 and immeditely before the adapter memberreaches the home position established by the closed-end 93 of U-bracket70. When the adapter member is set in the home position, tir automaticdispenser is in readiness for operation.

It can now be appreciated that a simple means for adapting an aerosolcontainer to an automatic dispenser has been provided which can bemass-assembled and every assembly will fit the mounting bracket in aprescribed relationship with the valve actuator regardless of thetolerance variation of the containers. Moreover, due to the preparatoryengagement of cam track 35 with extension 48 of lever 44, the valvemechanism is pressured and not hammered to operated condition during aspray cycle.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and,since certain changes may be made in the above arrangement withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. An adapter of the class described integrally formed of relativelystilf, hard plastic material and comprising:

(A) an outwardly extending slotted, resilient peripheral flange (a) forengaging the cap recess of an aerosol can,

and

(b) for urging the adapter downwardly into snug engagement therewith;

(B) an annular shoulder (a) surrounding an opening for receiving thevertically oriented stem of an aerosol can, and

(b) said annular shoulder being urged into engagement with the top ofthe valve housing of an aerosol can by the action of said slottedperipheral flange;

(C) a downwardly depending cylindrical shoulder surrounding said annularshoulder and said opening for engagement with the side of the valvehousing of an aerosol can;

(D) a pair of upstanding shoulders (a) each having one of a pair ofspaced coplanar slots therein parallel to said annular shoulder,

(b) a pair of spaced opposed vertical side walls,

and

(c) a pair of L-shaped recesses each in one of said shoulders andoriented parallel to the upper and side surfaces of said slots and tothe said opposed side walls; and,

(E) ramp-like notches at the forward ends of said slots dependingdownwardly therefrom.

2. The adapter defined in claim 1 and:

(F) a nozzle (a) for engaging the stem of an aerosol can, and

(b) having a pair of vertical side walls, each cloilely spaced adjacentto said opposed vertical wa s.

3. The adapter defined in claim 2 and:

(G) a ramp on the forward top surface of said nozzle in a plane obliqueto the plane of said spaced slots and generally parallel to saidramp-like notches.

4. An adapter of the type designed for horizontal sliding engagementwith a motorized automatic aerosol dispenser comprising:

(A) means for engaging the top of an aerosol can;

(B) a pair of linear horizontally oriented channels having generallyparallel opposed inner walls for horizontally slideably engaging a pairof opposed linear shelves on said automatic aerosol dispenser; and,

(C) nozzle guide means fixedly oriented with respect to said channelsand forming a nozzle pathway opening upwardly through to the exterior ofsaid adapter to permit a nozzle to slide downwardly into said guidemeans.

5. The adapter defined in claim 4 wherein said adapter furthercomprises:

(D) a pair of upstanding shoulders (a) each having one of said channelstherein, and (b) each having one of a pair of vertical walls formingsaid nozzle guide means.

6. The adapter defined in claim 5 wherein said vertical walls are fiat,opposed, parallel to each other, and parallel to the inner walls of saidchannels.

7. The adapter defined in claim 6 wherein said adapter furthercomprises:

(E) a pair of L-shaped recesses, each in one of said shoulders andoriented parallel to the upper and inner walls of said channels andparallel to said vertical walls of said nozzle guide means.

8. The adapter defined in claim 4, further comprising:

(D) a central opening extending downwardly through said adapter forreceiving the vertically oriented stem of an aerosol can; and

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,107,826 10/ 1963 KruckZZZ-402.13 3,150,800 9/1964 Weber 22270 3,157,317 11/1964 Ramsbotham222183 Hunt 222-70 Brown 222-70 Lesh 222180 X Ay-res ZZZ-402.11 XModderno 222-402.11 X Reich et a1. 222146 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, PrimaryExaminer. K. N. LEIMER, Assistant Examiner.

